Bartolome Murillo
The Return of the Prodigal Son
Wikimedia Commons

Those seeking forgiveness of their sins should not fear the Lord. His mercy is without limits and is available to all who approach Him seeking forgiveness.

Prepare your heart. Humble yourself. Rend your heart and not your garments (Joel 2:13).   Express your desire to turn from sin and surrender all attachment to sin.

The Lord asks more than a mere adjustment to how we live our life.  He asks for penitential works and a sacramental confession of sins.  He desires an internal conversion manifested in visible signs, gestures and works (Catechism of the Catholic Church ¶1430).  We are to rend our heart and turn away from sin, and return to Him with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning (Joel 2:12).

Trust in the Lord, hope abounds in His mercy and grace. “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36).